Poets House Hotel and Restaurant
Moody, period-meets-modern boutique. Think dark grey walls, sash windows, ornate fireplaces, velvet seating, and freestanding copper baths. Intimate and quietly theatrical. Not a resort — no gym, no spa — but the quality of rooms and restaurant more than holds its own.
Request a front-facing room on St Mary's Street for cathedral and church views — not all rooms have them
Why It Matters
One of the most characterful small hotels in the East of England. The combination of Grade II-listed architecture, William Holland copper baths in every room, and a destination restaurant that locals actually book makes this more than just a weekend stopover. The cathedral views from front-facing rooms are genuinely special.
Three Grade II-listed early 1900s townhouses standing directly opposite Ely Cathedral, converted into a 21-room boutique hotel that opened in 2013. One of the buildings was the home of local poet and novelist Sybil Marshall (1913–2005) — hence the name. The rooms are moody and grown-up: grey tones, antique fireplaces, heavy curtains, and those much-talked-about William Holland copper bathtubs. The Dining Room has a genuine following among locals, not just hotel guests.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Deluxe Room
The entry-level category at Poets House, which is still genuinely spacious for the UK market. Individually decorated in muted greys and whites with period features retained — original skirting boards, sash windows. All deluxe rooms include the signature William Holland copper bath (either in the bathroom or positioned in the bedroom itself), a waterfall rainfall shower, Egyptian cotton linen, Noble Isle toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers, in-room safe, flat-screen smart TV, and tea/coffee facilities with shortbread.
King Size (5ft x 6ft)
Suite
The largest category — proper suites with a separate seating area, full bedroom, and bathroom. Suite 5, for example, sits on the second floor facing St Mary's Street with views of Ely Cathedral, St Mary's Church, and Oliver Cromwell's House through large sash windows. Decorated in hues of grey and white, with a velvet bench at the foot of the bed, ornate fireplace with artwork above, and a full-length freestanding mirror. The William Holland copper bath here sits in the bedroom itself. King size bed dressed in Egyptian cotton; wardrobe with iron, safe, and daily-replenished shortbread cookies. Glass water bottles rather than plastic.
King Size (5ft x 6ft)Superior Room
A step up in size and finishing from the Deluxe category. Same signature copper bath and waterfall shower, same moody palette. Some Superior rooms face the front of the property with views toward Ely Cathedral and St Mary's Church — these are the ones to request. Individually furnished; no two rooms are identical. The copper bath in some configurations sits in the bedroom itself rather than the bathroom, creating a theatrically indulgent setup.
King Size (5ft x 6ft)The Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Classic British afternoon tea served in the Sonnet Lounge & Bar. Finger sandwiches, cakes, warm scones with clotted cream and jam. Add a glass of fizz for extra indulgence. Must be pre-booked 24 hours in advance; full pre-payment required on booking.
Not organised by the hotel, but specifically recommended to guests: evensong sung by the King's School choir at Ely Cathedral, just a 500-yard walk from the hotel. Available most evenings. Free to attend.
The hotel has two event spaces: the Boardroom (up to 14 guests, ideal for intimate meetings) and the Writing Room (up to 50 guests, suited for presentations and workshops). Both come with AV facilities. Catering available. Winter 2026 offer included complimentary pastries and refreshments for Boardroom bookings.
The Writing Room and Boardroom can be reserved for private dining, birthday parties, baby showers, wakes, and business events. The Writing Room can host up to 50 guests; the Boardroom is suited to intimate groups of up to 14. Wedding packages include exclusive use of all 21 rooms and can accommodate 10–80 guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Ground floor rooms available that are wheelchair accessible and suitable for guests with mobility requirements.
Two event/meeting spaces: the Boardroom (up to 14 guests) and the Writing Room (up to 50 guests), both with AV equipment.
Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and in all guest rooms.
A library available for guest use — in keeping with the hotel's literary heritage.
Gift vouchers available to purchase online via the hotel's gifting partner.
Attentive concierge team available for local recommendations, tour arrangements, and assistance.
Dry cleaning and laundry services available for guests.
Luggage storage available for guests before check-in and after check-out.
All rooms are individually air-conditioned.
Room service available around the clock for hotel guests.
Daily housekeeping included. Guests can opt out via in-room cards to reduce linen and towel turnover — a small sustainability measure.
A pretty walled garden at the rear of the property, used for al fresco dining, drinks, and events. Popular in summer months.
No on-site parking. The hotel provides a small, secure off-site car park about a 5-minute walk away. Guests receive a phone number to release the barrier. Valet parking service also available — staff park your car on arrival and bring it round on departure.
One Pod Point electric vehicle charger available at the property.
BUILD YOUR POETS HOUSE HOTEL AND RESTAURANT PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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